Abstract
Background
Many studies have implicated PDGF in the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis. Previously, we showed in tissue culture that the soluble extracellular domain of the PDGFβ-receptor is capable of binding BB-PDGF with high affinity; therefore antagonizing the ability of BB-PDGF to stimulate cell growth.
Methods
This work describes the efforts of expressing the soluble extracellular domain of the PDGFβ-receptor in transgenic mice. Driven by the albumin promoter, which is activated relatively late during embryonic development, the secreted form of the PDGF receptor protein was detected in plasma of the homozygous mice at a high concentration (~60 µg/mL or ~545 nm).
Results
Plasma from these transgenic mice was capable of blocking PDGF-induced receptor autophosphorylation in tissue culture. The mice appeared to be healthy, demonstrating that full PDGFB-receptor function is not required for viability.
Conclusion
By expressing a high level of a soluble form of the extracellular domain of the PDGF receptor in transgenic mice, we have established a novel animal model that will allow us to gain insight into the role of the PDGF receptor in vascular diseases and other diseases involving PDGF stimulated cell proliferation.
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